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[Gee_UK]

[stealth]

Opjose,

There could certainly have been code to detect modchips in the beta versions sent by MS.   Every time you played a game it may have sent the crc info of your bios or perhaps some other flag to MS which they were ignoring until 2 days ago.  There is no need for a software download to enable something which may have been existing already.  This seems even more likely given the fact that NFL 2k3 was still working for many people.  It was not one of the demos sent out, and was released much much earlier.  It probably had no code to check for chips.

It is also pretty hard to dispute the fact that on the same xbox, people can't connect with modchip enabled, but can when they disable it.  My friends xbox works the exact same way.  We toggled it like 5 times on separate days and every time the chip was enabled, we could not log in to live, but once we disabled it, it worked like a charm.  It's hard to believe that it could be caused by server issues so repeatably on different days.

Yes the servers are unstable right now and for the past couple of days.   That has definately been confusing the issue, but it does seem likely that they are detecting modchips.  It's no big deal.  Just need to disable it.

What is most interesting is the fact that some people cannot connect even when they disable it.  That is the only real mystery here.  Perhaps that is just server issues.

[Duece]

I am suprised that no one hasgotten the ip address to the Live server and tried to ping it.  At least if that was done by users that were getting the XBL not found error then we would know what was up.

[lucasz]

QUOTE (stealth @ Nov 14 2002, 03:06 PM)

It's no big deal.  Just need to disable it.

There's a lot of us that still can't connect with the mod chip disabled/removed.  Personally, I even tried using the original HD with just the original files and couldn't connect using the dash utility.  What worries me is the serial number it shows during the connection test.  I have a feeling some of us may be blacklisted and changing the SN with a patch won't work because they keep track of the valid, shipped SNs.

-Lucas

[bornonce]

You could play all original games as long as they are on their original media and the modchip is disabled. Games released in the past would work with the modchip enabled, but newer games with the modchip detection/rejection would not.

This is all just speculation, of course, but you have to remember that MS has been dealing with security and encryption at DOD levels for over 10 years in the very unsecure open PC server and Internet world. The XBox environment is much easier to secure because it is relatively closed.

[bornonce]

QUOTE (lucasz @ Nov 14 2002, 03:30 PM)

I have a feeling some of us may be blacklisted and changing the SN with a patch won't work because they keep track of the valid, shipped SNs. -Lucas

                                    Lucas,

There would be no need to blacklist you. Even if you have a modded xbox you could not use either xbox live or any new game because they wouldn't work with the modchip enabled. MS might have used the last few days to get an idea of how many modded boxes are using the service. They have said in interviews that "Yes, they can detect modchips". They also said they haven't made a decision on whether to ban modchip users. If all of the new games won't work with a modchip enabled, they don't have to.

[andreo]

You have to realize that MS would say this anyway. They would be stupid to say "no we can't tell if someone is using a mod chip and playing with a backup copy of a game". However if they said that I would be suspicious also.

[Grendel]

I think that there are 2 issues going on.

1. They are outright blocking some accounts until tonight/tomorrow to counter the influx of early retail users.

2.  They are checking SOMETHING on our modded boxes that is raising a flag.  Something on the HD, bios, whatever.

The person that has 5 (count em) and can't get on with any, may fall under number 1.  (Can't remember if he said he loaded the retail early).

Most of us fall under number 2.

As for the people that have non switchable mod chips, 120GB HD's and can STILL get on?  I'm at a loss...  there are some out there yes?

So all the different evidence that is coming in can (most of the time) be explained by one of these issues.
JUST MY OPINION, no flames please.

Gren

[upstatenyguy22]

QUOTE (Grendel @ Nov 14 2002, 05:04 PM)

The person that has 5 (count em) and can't get on with any, may fall under number 1.  (Can't remember if he said he loaded the retail early). Most of us fall under number 2. As for the people that have non switchable mod chips, 120GB HD's and can STILL get on?  I'm at a loss...  there are some out there yes? So all the different evidence that is coming in can (most of the time) be explained by one of these issues. JUST MY OPINION, no flames please. Gren

                                    "That Person" was opjose.  I'm still planning to worry when he tells me to.  That being said.

I think that you're right about the 2 different issues - some people blocked no matter what, but definitely a mod issue as well.  How are the few with similar setups (like xbob with his 2 modded machines, one works and one doesn't) - still a mystery that needs some sorting out.

[Zander]

Z

[Grendel]

Try now Zander (unless you are work or something) on your virgin box (man, that sounds dirty!).

If they did block it, it should be back up now right?  Be sure and use the retail disc.

Gren

[Zander]

I agree, but I can't try it now.

Am at work. :_(

Z

[glock115]

I just tried the starter disc with the chip disabled and I signed on instantly.  I then attempted to sign on with the ybox bios and it was a no go.  It is OBVIOUS that there is mod chip detection.

[Grendel]

Just ran home and tried myself..

I was a beta tester.
Have an Enigmah Final Box.
Original HD (with games on it)
No EvoX on it, took it off before Beta.

Still can't connect from dashboard.

Gren

[obscure_detour]

People need settle down about XBLive.  MS is not detecting mod chips.  They are simply updating servers and such.  And probably have simply banned accounts until the REAL launch date.  Its not even out yet and people are freakin out.  And they emailed all the beta people saying the servers would go up and down, it was probably just more down time than expected.  Settle down.

If MS ever trys to detect anything I think in my opinion it would be hdd.  They would detect to see if its locked or maybe look at the C:\ partition and see if what files are on it.  Any unknown files MS didn't intend to be on there they don't let you connect.  Or maybe they just check how we boot, hence booting to yboxdash.xbe or a modified xboxdash.xbe wouldn't work.  Or maybe they'll do all three resorting us to boot from CDRW everytime.  But I don't think they will and if they do I think it will be awhile from now.

But honestly I don't think MS will try anything and besides why would MS update their servers with something about detecting mod chips when they haven't even tested on the XBLive beta?  

I stand by opjose.

Obscure Detour